438 



Pomander Collection of Hazvaiian Folk-lore. 



During- this retirement, Kamalalawalu's stewards prepared food, meat, awa, and 

 a water basin/ Wherefore, Lonoikamakahiki" asked Pupukea: "Where is our food and 

 fish; and where is our awa?" Pupukea answered: "They are near by. The meat is 

 chicken, but it is not yet cooked. And as to the awa, it has not been masticated." 



Whereat, Lonoikamakahiki, infuriated by Pupukea, sprang forward and slapped 

 his cheek. Pupukea tlien took tlie awa and chewed it. Again Lonoikamakahiki sprang 

 forward and struck Pupukea's cheek. Pupukea said to Lonoikamakahiki : "What ! is 

 the striking first? Why not first speak, and when the narrow openings of the ear hear 

 the charge, then it will be just to slap?" 



pupukea's promptness in the preparation of lonoikamakahiki's food. 



While Pupukea was chewing the awa in his mouth, he reached forth one of his 

 hands and seized the chicken (one that belonged to Lonoikamakahiki from Oahu' 

 here). He tore the leg apart, salted it, and placed it over a charcoal fire, as also the 

 other leg of the chicken and the entire body. Pupukea baked the chicken with the 

 feathers which had not been pulled off,^ but, when turned over the feathers were con- 

 sumed by the fire. With the mastication of four mouthfuls of awa, the chicken was 

 cooked. Pupukea squeezed out the awa jviice into the awa cup and placed it before 

 Lonoikamakahiki who drank it. Having finished drinking, he ate the chicken;'' and 

 having completed the meal, Lonoikamakahiki was intoxicated and slept. 



At these wonderful performances of Pupukea, an appreciation and strong de- 

 sire entered Kamalalawalu's mind, because of the skill and promptness of Pupukea in 

 the preparation of the food, and because of the very short time required by the meal; 

 therefore, Kamalalawalu entreated of the king of Hawaii as follows: "O Kalani! King 

 of Hawaii, it is better that I have our^" steward, for I highly value his efficiency and 

 promptness." Lonoikamakahiki replied: "You can not be favored, inasmuch as he is my 

 property-holder of Hawaii. It is his to dispossess, to retain, and to favor the chiefs and 

 the men ; to withhold ; to fight or not to fight. My part is simply to reign on Hawaii. 

 He is the one that governs the land." 



THE banter between MAKAKUIKALANI AND PUPUKEA. 



Following Lonoikamakahiki's answer to Ivamalalawalu, Makakuikalani remarked 

 regarding Pupukea, as follows: "A low shelf is reached by the rat."" Pupukea an- 

 swered Makakuikalani, saying:'" 



"The natural preparations by regular servants of a 

 royal household. 



"Lono was evidently supposed to have provided him- 

 self with customary qualified attendants to administer 

 to his needs. His anger at Pupukea, according to an- 

 other version, was for not having the awa ready and 

 food cooked as ordered, a duty in which he had had 

 no experience; hence the unpreparedness. 



'The narrator is relating an incident on Lono's return 

 trip from Oahu. 



'This illustrates Pupukea's inexperience as a cook. 

 ■ Nevertheless, his prompt actions in serving the king 

 won him tlic admiration of Kama. 



"The chicken accompaniment to awa was as a relish, 

 counteracting the bitterness of the drink. 



"Our, instead of your, is the complimentary Hawaiian 

 form indicating mutual or joint interest. 



"A proverb implying insignificance. 



"This mele of return sarcasm likens stubby, mature 

 Pupukea to the spherical breadfruit (ulu), first used in 

 the game of maika (now stone) rolling, whence its 

 name, that was capable of covering or clearing the 

 length of the course, a prepared way on gently sloping 

 land. Hence a dangerous opponent. .Mso, as the prickly 

 leaved sugar-cane of Kohala that would hurt the mouth 

 if eaten, so would Pupukea prove to be. 



